What You Need to Know: This 9-day private safari spends three nights in the Maasai Mara, then flies from Nairobi to Kigali for gorilla trekking and golden monkey tracking in Volcanoes National Park. It costs from US$5,938 per person for 2 travelers at mid-range lodges, including the US$1,500 gorilla permit and park fees.
Is the 9-Day Maasai Mara and Rwanda Gorilla Safari Right for You?
It is the simplest way to combine the Mara with gorillas: one flight, short Rwandan drives and no long overland days.
| This trip suits you if… | Consider another trip if… |
|---|---|
| You want the Mara and gorillas in under 10 days | You want more Kenyan parks: see the 14-day Kenya and Rwanda safari |
| You prefer short drives on the gorilla side | You want a lower permit cost: see the Kenya and Uganda safari |
| You fly home from Kigali | You want the Serengeti too: see the Serengeti and Rwanda safari |
The 9-Day Maasai Mara and Rwanda Gorilla Safari Route at a Glance
One night in Nairobi, three in the Mara, one in Kigali and three near Volcanoes National Park.
| Day | Route | Travel | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrival in Nairobi | Airport transfer, 30–60 minutes | Nairobi |
| 2 | Nairobi to the Maasai Mara | Drive 5–6 hours (or a 45-minute flight) | Maasai Mara |
| 3 | Full day in the Maasai Mara | Full-day game drive | Maasai Mara |
| 4 | Maasai Mara, second full day | Full-day game drive | Maasai Mara |
| 5 | Maasai Mara to Nairobi, fly to Kigali | Drive 5–6 hours or fly, then flight 1.5 hours | Kigali |
| 6 | Kigali to Volcanoes National Park | Drive 2.5–3 hours | Volcanoes National Park (Musanze/Kinigi) |
| 7 | Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes | Gorilla trek 2–6 hours | Volcanoes National Park (Musanze/Kinigi) |
| 8 | Golden monkeys and Iby'Iwacu village | Golden monkey trek 2–4 hours | Volcanoes National Park (Musanze/Kinigi) |
| 9 | Return to Kigali and departure | Drive 2.5–3 hours | — |
9-Day Maasai Mara and Rwanda Gorilla Safari Itinerary, Day by Day
Three nights in the Mara give you two full days on the plains; the Rwanda half is built around the trek on day 7.
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Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi
Your driver-guide meets you at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and takes you to your hotel. If you land in the morning, there is time for the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust's orphaned baby elephants (late morning visiting hour) and the Giraffe Centre in Karen, where you can feed endangered Rothschild's giraffes from a raised platform.
In the evening your guide runs through the days ahead, checks your passports and visas, and answers last questions.
Airport transfer, 30–60 minutesNairobiDinner -
Day 2: Nairobi to the Maasai Mara
Leave Nairobi at about 8:00 and drop down the escarpment into the Great Rift Valley, with a stop at the viewpoint over the valley floor. The road continues through Narok, the last town before the reserve.
You arrive in time for lunch at your lodge, then head out on an afternoon game drive from about 4:00 to 6:00, when the cats start to move.
Drive 5–6 hours (or a 45-minute flight)Maasai MaraBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 3: Full day in the Maasai Mara
Leave after an early breakfast with a packed lunch and spend the whole day on the plains, so you can follow lions, cheetahs and leopards without heading back at midday. From July to October the wildebeest and zebra herds are here, and crossings of the Mara River are possible if the herds are near the water.
Optional extras: a sunrise balloon flight (US$460 per person) or a visit to a Maasai village near the reserve.
Full-day game driveMaasai MaraBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 4: Maasai Mara, second full day
Another full day on the plains, exploring a different part of the reserve: the Mara River and its hippo pools, or the open plains where cheetahs hunt. From July to October the herds are here.
Full-day game driveMaasai MaraBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 5: Maasai Mara to Nairobi, fly to Kigali
Fly or drive back to Nairobi and take the 1.5-hour flight to Kigali. Your Rwandan driver-guide meets you at the airport and takes you to your hotel.
Drive 5–6 hours or fly, then flight 1.5 hoursKigaliBreakfast, lunch -
Day 6: Kigali to Volcanoes National Park
Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial in the morning, then drive north-west to Musanze, about 2.5 hours, with the Virunga volcanoes rising ahead.
Drive 2.5–3 hoursVolcanoes National Park (Musanze/Kinigi)Breakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 7: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes
Meet the rangers at Kinigi at 7:00 for the briefing, then climb into the bamboo zone to find your gorilla family and spend one hour with them.
Gorilla trek 2–6 hoursVolcanoes National Park (Musanze/Kinigi)Breakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 8: Golden monkeys and Iby'Iwacu village
Track golden monkeys in the bamboo zone, then visit the Iby'Iwacu cultural village, run by former poachers' families, for dance, music and a look at village life.
Golden monkey trek 2–4 hoursVolcanoes National Park (Musanze/Kinigi)Breakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 9: Return to Kigali and departure
Drive back to Kigali for your flight, with a stop at a craft cooperative on the way.
Drive 2.5–3 hoursDepartureBreakfast
What You Can See on the 9-Day Maasai Mara and Rwanda Gorilla Safari
- Maasai Mara: lions, cheetahs and leopards, and the migration from July to October
- Volcanoes National Park: mountain gorillas and golden monkeys
- Kigali: Africa's cleanest capital, and the Genocide Memorial
Your Vehicle, Guides and Who Runs the Trip
In Kenya you travel in a private 4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof and sliding windows, a fridge for drinks, a pair of binoculars and eco-friendly trash bags. In Rwanda you travel in a private 4x4 safari vehicle suited to the mountain roads, with your own English-speaking driver-guide. The vehicle and driver-guide are for your group only, so you set the pace at sightings and photo stops.
In Kenya and Rwanda the trip is run on the ground by trusted local partner operators we work with. This is how it works: you tell us your dates, group and interests; our partners in Kenya and Rwanda prepare the costing for the country, and we send you one written quotation and itinerary. We stay your contact before and during the trip, and we handle the permits, flights and border connections between the countries.
How Much Does the 9-Day Maasai Mara and Rwanda Gorilla Safari Cost?
From US$5,938 per person, for 2 travelers sharing at mid-range lodges, with the private vehicle and driver-guide, accommodation and meals as listed, park fees and permits included. This is a starting price: your final price is the one in your written quotation, worked out for your dates, group size and lodge level.
| Permit | Price per person (2026) |
|---|---|
| Rwanda gorilla permit | US$1,500 |
| Golden monkey permit | US$100 |
What changes the price
- Group size: the vehicle and guide are shared, so the price per person falls as your group grows
- Lodge level: budget lodges lower it, and luxury lodges and tented camps raise it
- Season: lodges charge more from June to October and at Christmas; the Maasai Mara fee doubles from July to December
- Flights: the Nairobi–Kigali flight is quoted with your trip, and so is the optional flight from the Mara to Nairobi
Park fees and permits on this route
| Park, permit or fee | 2026 rate |
|---|---|
| Maasai Mara National Reserve (Narok County) | US$100 per adult per day January–June, US$200 July–December; children 9–17 US$50 |
| Volcanoes gorilla permit (Rwanda Development Board) | US$1,500 per person, including park entry |
| Golden monkey tracking (RDB) | US$100 per person |
What the 9-Day Maasai Mara and Rwanda Gorilla Safari Price Includes
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle and English-speaking driver-guide in each country
- 8 nights' accommodation at the level you choose, with meals as listed in the itinerary
- All park entry and conservation fees, and government taxes
- Rwanda gorilla permit, Golden monkey permit (one each per person)
- Airport pickup and drop-off
- Drinking water in the vehicle
Not included
- International flights
- Regional flights between countries (quoted with your trip)
- Visas and Kenya's eTA
- Travel insurance with medical evacuation
- Tips for your guides, rangers and porters
- Drinks, laundry and personal items
- Optional Maasai Mara balloon flight, US$460 per person
- Porters on the trek (hired at the trailhead)
How the 9-Day Maasai Mara and Rwanda Gorilla Safari Compares with Our Other Trips
| Trip | Days | From (per person) | Gorillas in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maasai Mara and Rwanda | 9 | US$5,938 | Volcanoes, Rwanda |
| Kenya and Uganda | 10 | US$5,620 | Bwindi, Uganda |
| Kenya and Rwanda, 14 days | 14 | US$8,348 | Volcanoes, with Amboseli and Lake Kivu |
If the Serengeti matters more to you than the Mara, our 9-day Serengeti and Rwanda safari has the same shape.
How to Book the 9-Day Maasai Mara and Rwanda Gorilla Safari
| When you cancel | Refund |
|---|---|
| 60 days or more before arrival | 100% |
| 30–59 days | 90% |
| 15–29 days | 60% |
| 10–14 days | 25% |
| Less than 10 days, or a no-show | No refund |
What Else to Read Before You Book
This page covers what is particular to the 9-Day Kenya and Rwanda Safari. The parts that work the same way on our other trips are explained once, in these guides:
- Rwanda safaris: permits, the trekking day, fitness and the rules.
- Kenya safaris: the lodges we use in each park.
- East Africa safaris: borders, flights and the East Africa Tourist Visa.
- Tipping on safari: how much to give your driver-guide and lodge staff.
- Booking and cancellation terms: deposit, payment and refunds.
Common Questions About the 9-Day Maasai Mara and Rwanda Gorilla Safari
How fit do I need to be for gorilla trekking in Rwanda?
Moderately fit. Treks start at about 8,200 ft (2,500 m) and can last from under an hour to six hours; rangers match groups to fitness, and porters help. The minimum age is 15.
Can we fly from the Mara to Nairobi?
Yes, light aircraft take about 45 minutes and connect with the Kigali flight; we quote them as an option.
How much does the 9-Day Maasai Mara and Rwanda Gorilla Safari cost?
From US$5,938 per person for 2 travelers at mid-range lodges, with park fees and permits included. Your written quotation gives the final price for your dates, group and lodge level.
The Bottom Line
This trip pairs the Maasai Mara with Rwanda's gorillas in nine days, with only one regional flight. Reserve the permit as soon as your dates are set.
Send us your dates, the number of travelers and your lodge level through the booking form, on WhatsApp +255 678 992 599 or by email to jaynevytours@gmail.com, and we will reply with a written quotation.